Pallet content identification mechanism that converts RFID information to corresponding barcode information

ABSTRACT

A pallet content identification mechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. The pallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the pallet using an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information into corresponding barcode information, and displays the corresponding barcodes on a small display. These barcodes may then be scanned by a conventional barcode scanner, thereby allowing all of the items on the pallet to be scanned into the barcode system without unpacking the pallet. The pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefit from RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technology in the inventory control system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to inventory control systems, and moreparticularly relates to using radio frequency identification (RFID)information in a barcode environment.

2. Background Art

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) presents a new paradigm forinventory control. Each item that needs to be tracked is equipped withan RFID tag, which is a small, passive electronic device that may beattached to or embedded into a product or its packaging. In an RFIDsystem, a scanner sends out radio-frequency energy. This radio-frequencyenergy provides power to the RFID tags. In response, the RFID tagstransmit their identifying information. RFID thus allows an entirepallet or truck to be scanned, thereby providing easy inventory control.An RFID system may also include active emitters with a battery thatallows the RFID tag itself to transmit the signal instead of the scannerproviding the power via the radio frequency energy.

When one compares RFID to current barcode technology, one readilyappreciates the advantages of RFID. If a truck or pallet is stacked withmany different cartons of products, the bar code on each carton must belocated and scanned. This necessarily requires unpacking pallets to scanall the cartons on a pallet. With an RFID system, all the cartons, andeven the individual products in the cartons, may be scanned withoutunpacking. Due to the hands-off nature of RFID scanning, inventorycontrol is moving in the direction of adopting RFID technology.

Wal Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense have mandated that theirsuppliers have RFID tags on all items that cost more than one dollar. Asa result, many suppliers are rushing to install RFID systems. While theadoption of RFID technology may be done quickly for large companies thathave a large budget for converting their inventory control systems frombarcode to RFID, many smaller companies, distributors, and retailerswill be much slower to install RFID systems due to the relatively largecost of completely converting from barcode to RFID. This creates apotential mismatch between RFID and existing barcode technologies.Without a way to easily transfer RFID information into a barcode systemwithout a large investment of capital, the smaller distributors andretailers will not be able to benefit from RFID inventory control untilthey completely convert to a full-blown RFID system, which may beprohibitively expensive.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the preferred embodiments, a pallet content identificationmechanism is a small electronic device that is attached to a pallet. Thepallet content identification mechanism reads RFID tags on the palletusing an RFID portal scanner, converts the RFID information intocorresponding barcode information, and displays the correspondingbarcodes on a small display. These barcodes may then be scanned by aconventional barcode scanner, thereby allowing all of the items on thepallet to be scanned into the barcode system without unpacking thepallet. The pallet identification mechanism allows a user to benefitfrom RFID technology on the pallet while still using barcode technologyin the inventory control system.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of preferredembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, where likedesignations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an RFID supply chain;

FIG. 2 is block diagram showing how UPC distributors and retailers mayreceive goods from the RFID supply chain;

FIG. 3 is side view of a pallet that includes the pallet contentidentification mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a pallet content identification mechanismin accordance with the preferred embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with the preferredembodiments

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of steps showing how the barcodes may bedisplayed and scanned in accordance with the preferred embodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one specific implementation of the palletcontent identification mechanism that displays UPC barcodes inaccordance with the preferred embodiments.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A pallet content identification mechanism provides a simple andeasy-to-use bridge between RFID data and traditional barcode systems.The pallet content identification mechanism is attached to a pallet, andincludes an RFID scanner that is capable of scanning RFID data for theitems on the pallet. A RFID to barcode conversion mechanism reads theRFID data from the scanner, converts the RFID data into correspondingbarcode information, and outputs the corresponding barcode informationto a barcode-based inventory control system. In this manner the RFIDdata from the items on the pallet is converted and input into abarcode-based inventory control system. In one specific embodiment, thebarcode information is output to a display on the pallet contentidentification mechanism, which may then be scanned by a traditionalbarcode scanner.

Referring to FIG. 1, an RFID supply chain is shown, and includes an RFIDsupplier 110 coupled to an RFID distributor 120, which is coupled to anRFID retailer 130. Note that in reality, there are many suppliers, manydistributors, and many retailers. We assume each of these entities 110,120 and 130 are fully RFID compatible. This provides for very efficientcontrol of inventory as it passes through the supply chain.

One problem with the RFID supply chain shown in FIG. 1 is that RFID mustbe fully supported at each stage of the supply chain. Converting awarehouse or distribution center from currently-used barcode technologyto RFID technology requires a substantial investment in new equipmentand training. Many distributors and small retailers have alreadyinvested a considerable sum of money in barcode inventory controlsystems, and simply cannot afford to make the jump to RFID all at once.As a result, in the real world we will likely see a mix of RFID andbarcode technology at many stages in the supply chain, as shown in FIG.2. We see from this simple figure that a barcode distributor 210 mayreceive goods from an RFID supplier 110, and may ship goods to an RFIDretailer 130, or to a barcode retailer 220. A barcode retailer 220 mayalso receive goods from an RFID distributor 120. This mixture of RFIDand barcode systems creates a potential problem in the supply chain. Forexample, in an RFID inventory control system, pallets may be tightlywrapped with stretch film because the RFID tags may be scanned withoutunloading the pallet. In a barcode inventory control system, incontrast, the cartons on a pallet must each be scanned with a barcodereader, which often requires unloading the pallet to provide access toall of the barcodes on all of the cartons. If a pallet of RFID goods istightly wrapped with stretch film and arrives at a distribution centerthat does not have RFID capability, but has barcode capability, eachcarton on the pallet will have to be scanned into the barcode inventorysystem.

The preferred embodiments provide a simple and easy-to-use interfacebetween RFID information and a barcode inventory system. Referring toFIG. 3, a pallet 300 in accordance with the preferred embodimentsincludes a support structure 310 that provides structural support thatallows a forklift or other machine to lift the pallet 300 when fullyloaded with goods. Attached to the support structure 310 is a palletcontent identification mechanism 400 in accordance with the preferredembodiments. The pallet content identification mechanism 400 convertsthe RFID information from goods on the pallet into corresponding barcodeinformation, and outputs the barcode information so it can be used by abarcode-based inventory control system.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pallet content identification mechanism 400includes a processor 420 coupled to an RFID portal scanner 410, a memory440, and an output device 430. The RFID portal scanner 410 is preferablya known RFID scanner that has the capability of collecting the RFIDinformation from all goods on the pallet (300 in FIG. 3). Note that RFIDportal scanner 410 may be place in any suitable location on the palletto assure all items on the pallet may be scanned. The memory 440preferably includes an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism 450. TheRFID to barcode conversion mechanism 450 receives RFID information fromthe RFID portal scanner 410, converts the RFID information 460 tocorresponding barcode information 470, and includes a barcode outputmechanism 480 that outputs the barcode information 470 to the outputdevice 430. In one specific implementation in accordance with thepreferred embodiments, the output device 430 is a serial interface to acable that is connected to a barcode-based inventory control system. Ina second specific implementation in accordance with the preferredembodiments, the output device 430 is a wireless transmitter thattransmits the barcode information 470 via wireless interface to awireless receiver that is part of a barcode-based inventory controlsystem. If the output device 430 is a wireless transmitter, thetransmission could be formatted to look like the input from a wirelessbarcode scanner, allowing the pallet control identification mechanism400 to communicate with the barcode-based inventory control system inthe same way that a wireless barcode scanner communicates.

Note that barcode information 470 may be numerical information thatcorresponds to products, or may be actual barcode representations of thenumerical information, depending on the format expected by the devicereceiving the information from the output device 430. If the barcodeinformation 470 is numerical information, and if the device receivingfrom the output device 430 expects actual barcode representations of thenumerical information, the barcode output mechanism 480 could convertthe numerical information into a corresponding barcode representation.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method 500 in accordance with the preferredembodiments is performed by the RFID to barcode conversion mechanism 440shown in FIG. 4. First, the pallet is scanned for RFID information (step510). This is preferably done using RFID portal scanner 410 shown inFIG. 4. The RFID information is converted to barcode information (step,520). The barcode information is then output (step 530). Note that knownRFID portal scanners include the capability of generating a bill ofmaterial for all items scanned. This bill of material could bemaintained as the RFID information is converted to barcode information,thereby automatically generating a Bill of Material for the pallet basedon the converted barcode information.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method 600 shows one specific implementation ofstep 530, followed by a subsequent step in accordance with the preferredembodiments. The barcode information could be output in the form of asequence of barcodes on a suitable display, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). Each barcode could be displayed in a defined sequence,with each barcode being displayed for some minimum time period (step530A). The barcodes on the display may then be scanned (step 610) usingknown barcode scanners.

FIG. 7 shows one specific implementation of the pallet contentidentification mechanism of the preferred embodiments. In this specificimplementation, the barcode information is in uniform price code (UPC)format, and the output of the barcode information is the display of theUPC barcode information on a display 730. Thus, the RFID to UPCconversion mechanism 750 in memory 740 reads RFID information 460 froman RFID portal scanner 410. The RFID information 460 is converted tocorresponding UPC information 770. The UPC information 770 may then beoutput by the UPC barcode display mechanism 780 to the display 730 inthe form of bar codes on the display that may be scanned by anyconventional barcode reader. The display of UPC barcodes on the display730 allows a person with a handheld scanner to repeatedly scan thedisplay 730 until UPC barcodes for all the items on the pallet have beenscanned. Display 730 is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) withsufficient contrast between black segments and background to allowefficiently displaying barcodes in a format that can be readily scannedusing existing barcode scanners. Display 730 preferably has a flat,non-shiny surface that does not impede the scanning of the barcodesdisplayed thereon.

Note that the pallet content identification mechanism 700 could includea sensor that would allow the display 730 to be normally off until ascanning laser contacts the sensor, indicating that someone wants toscan the display 730 for barcodes. The pallet content identificationmechanism 700 could also include one or more buttons that allow a userto perform simple functions, such as starting the display of thesequence of barcodes, halting the sequence, continuing the display ofthe sequence, etc.

The preferred embodiments herein extend to both a pallet contentidentification mechanism, and to a pallet in combination with a palletcontent identification system. In addition, the pallet referred toherein as representative of any suitable inventory control structure,and the preferred embodiments expressly extend to any and all inventorycontrol structures, including without limitation pallets, trucks,trailers, shipping containers, etc.

The preferred embodiments provide a simple device that may be attachedto a pallet in a manner that the device may scan the pallet for RFIDinformation, convert the RFID information into barcode information, anddisplay the barcode information on a display so it can be scanned. Thisdevice provides an inexpensive yet effective bridge between RFIDtechnology and existing barcode inventory control systems.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations are possiblewithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, while the invention hasbeen particularly shown and described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat these and other changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at least one processor; anoutput device coupled to the at least one processor; a memory coupled tothe at least one processor; an RFID to barcode conversion mechanism thatconverts RFID information received from the RFID scanner intocorresponding barcode information, and that outputs the correspondingbarcode information to the output device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the corresponding barcode information comprises uniform pricecode (UPC) barcode information.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein theoutput device comprises a display that displays a plurality of UPCbarcodes corresponding to the UPC barcode information.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein the RFID to barcode conversion mechanism outputs eachof the plurality of UPC barcodes in succession to the display, with eachbarcode being displayed for a selected minimum time period.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the output device comprises a transmitterthat transmits the barcode information.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the transmitter transmits the barcode information via wirelessinterface.
 7. A method for inventory control, the method comprising thesteps of: (A) scanning a plurality of radio frequency identification(RFID) tags using an RFID scanner; (B) converting RFID informationreceived from the RFID scanner into a plurality of barcodes; and (C)outputting the plurality of barcodes to an output device.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein the output device comprises a display.
 9. The methodof claim 8 wherein step (C) comprises the step of outputting each of theplurality of barcodes in succession to the display, with each barcodebeing displayed for a selected minimum time period.
 10. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising the step of scanning the plurality ofbarcodes on the display.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein each of theplurality of barcodes comprises a uniform product code (UPC) barcode.12. The method of claim 7 wherein step (C) comprises the step oftransmitting the barcode information.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinthe step of transmitting the barcode information comprises the step oftransmitting the barcode information via wireless interface.
 14. Aninventory control structure comprising: (A) a support structure; and (B)a content identification mechanism attached to the support structure,the content identification mechanism comprising: at least one processor;a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner coupled to the at leastone processor; a display coupled to the at least one processor; a memorycoupled to the at least one processor; and an RFID to barcode conversionmechanism that converts RFID information received from the RFID scannerinto corresponding barcode information, and that outputs thecorresponding barcode information to the display.
 15. The inventorycontrol structure of claim 14 wherein the corresponding barcodeinformation comprises uniform price code (UPC) barcode information. 16.The inventory control structure of claim 15 wherein the output devicecomprises a display that displays a plurality of UPC barcodescorresponding to the UPC barcode information.
 17. The inventory controlstructure of claim 16 wherein the RFID to barcode conversion mechanismoutputs each of the plurality of UPC barcodes in succession to thedisplay, with each barcode being displayed for a selected minimum timeperiod.
 18. The inventory control structure of claim 14 wherein theoutput device comprises a transmitter that transmits the barcodeinformation.
 19. The inventory control structure of claim 18 wherein thetransmitter transmits the barcode information via wireless interface.20. The inventory control structure of claim 14 wherein the supportstructure comprises a pallet.